THE South African Under-20s outclassed Ireland by 57-15 at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship in Padova, Italy, on Wednesday.
Coached by Dawie Theron, the Baby Boks played attacking rugby from the start and ran in nine tries.
Springbok Sevens player Tshotsho Mbovane scored a hat-trick, winger Wandile Mjekevu a brace, with South Africa's other tries added by flanker Cornell du Preez, centres Jaco Taute and Francois Venter and captain Arno Botha. Flyhalf Johan Goosen kicked five conversions while replacement pivot Johnny Welthagen added one conversion. The Baby Boks dominated the set-pieces thanks to their efficient line-out and scrum while they leaked two tries.
Having conceded a 26-20 defeat against England during the final Pool C match on Saturday, they turned things around with an all-round performance.
"The guys were really gutted after that defeat against England, and I am proud of the character showed by this team to come back to the same stadium and put in a performance that we know they are capable of," said Theron.
"We had to adjust our goals for the tournament after that defeat, and we want to make it four out of five wins.
"We've got Fiji on Sunday, which is going to be another physical challenge but we know what we are capable of."
Baby Boks put Ireland to the sword
THE South African Under-20s outclassed Ireland by 57-15 at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship in Padova, Italy, on Wednesday.
Coached by Dawie Theron, the Baby Boks played attacking rugby from the start and ran in nine tries.
Springbok Sevens player Tshotsho Mbovane scored a hat-trick, winger Wandile Mjekevu a brace, with South Africa's other tries added by flanker Cornell du Preez, centres Jaco Taute and Francois Venter and captain Arno Botha. Flyhalf Johan Goosen kicked five conversions while replacement pivot Johnny Welthagen added one conversion. The Baby Boks dominated the set-pieces thanks to their efficient line-out and scrum while they leaked two tries.
Having conceded a 26-20 defeat against England during the final Pool C match on Saturday, they turned things around with an all-round performance.
"The guys were really gutted after that defeat against England, and I am proud of the character showed by this team to come back to the same stadium and put in a performance that we know they are capable of," said Theron.
"We had to adjust our goals for the tournament after that defeat, and we want to make it four out of five wins.
"We've got Fiji on Sunday, which is going to be another physical challenge but we know what we are capable of."